CITYWIDE — From locally grown bouquets to couples’ candle-making classes, there are lots of local ways to enjoy Valentine’s Day this year.
Block Club rounded up 10 activities for celebrating the core tenants of the holiday: love, friendship and flowers.
Check it out:
Locally Grown Flowers
You can place an order for a personalized bouquet at Romance Flowers and Details, 4264 W. Irving Park Road, in Irving Park. Bouquets start at $15. Each is handmade by Mariana Ariza, who’s been passionate about the craft since she was a child arranging flowers from her grandmother’s garden in Guatemala.
If you want to give your loved one something that smells like spring, check out Southside Blooms, 6250 S. Morgan St. in Englewood, where tulips are a year-round sort of thing. The flower shop has grown 18,000 tulips indoors while providing jobs for at-risk youth. People can buy delivered bouquets and gifts here, including a Valentine’s Day bundle for $75.
Y2K-Themed Candle-Making Class
For $25, you can create a personalized candle while cozying up with a glass of wine, throwback jams and a photo booth. The workshop is 6-9 p.m. Feb. 10 at the Gage Park Latinx Cultural Center, 2711 W. 51st St.
Tickets can be bought here. All of the proceeds will support the Gage Park Latinx Cultural Center, which provides free cultural programs that uplift Latinx art, social justice and mutual aid.
Homemade Pasta — And Drag
Making someone pasta with your own two hands is a pretty good way to show you love them — but enjoying the meal while watching a drag show together brings the gesture to another level.
At Get In The Kitchen, 3617 N. Broadway in Lakeview, an expert chef will teach you how to make fettuccine with vodka turkey bolognese and spinach walnut pesto from scratch. Then, Ginger Ambrosia will host a drag performance.
For $75, you’ll get the cooking lesson, the drag show, your finished pasta dish, a side salad and a cocktail to top it all off. The event is 7-10 p.m. Feb. 18. You can buy tickets here.
Spa Escape
Want to splurge? Sip on some juice while you relax with a romantic bath and massage for two at Aire Ancient Baths, 800 W. Superior St. Downtown. The couples’ experience costs $675 and can be bought here.
The essential oils used during the experience are curated to balance you and your partner’s energies, while hot basalt stones reduce muscle tension and fatigue, according to the website.
Make Your Own Wine
Stomp grapes, play drinking games and sing karaoke while you learn how to create your own vat of wine at Wild Blossom Meadery and Winery, 9030 S. Hermitage Ave. near the Dan Ryan Woods trail.
The event is 6-9 p.m. Feb. 11. The $124 ticket includes a gourmet dinner and wine tasting, as well as the wine-making experience. Click here for more information.
Hit The Dance Floor
A 50-minute Valentine’s Day dance class will teach you how to spin your partner around like you’re living in the movie “Dirty Dancing.” Bring your own booze and learn basic salsa dance steps, basic leading and following and a simplified routine inspired by the movie.
Classes run Feb. 11-14 at Duet Dance Studio, 2412 W. North Ave., No. 201 in Wicker Park. Tickets cost $110 and sell out every year, so be sure to grab them fast.
Live Music By Candlelight
Basked in the glow of hundreds of candles, The Metropolis String Quartet will perform classic love songs inspired by the story of Romeo and Juliet Feb. 14 at Cafe Brauer, 2021 N. Stockton Drive. Tickets start at $60.
If celebrating the power of friendship is more your style, check out the Listeso String Quartet’s tribute to ABBA Feb. 9 at Stan Mansion, 2408 N. Kedzie Blvd. in Logan Square. Tickets start at $66.
Drag Brunch
Celebrate being single Feb. 11 at Kit Kat Lounge, 3700 N. Halsted St. in Lakeview, at Stupid Cupid Brunch with drag performances by Keri Traid, Angelicia Diamond & Luke. Or gather your gals for brunch Feb. 12 for a drag show featuring Angelicia Diamond & Keri Traid.
You can also enjoy a three-course price-fixed dinner for $69.95 per person Feb. 14. It includes a champagne toast and performances by Kit Kat Diva Kinley Preston.
Find more information here or call 773-525-1111 to make a reservation.
Design A Terrarium
Your date will think of you every time they look at the tiny terrarium ecosystem you can create together Feb. 11 at Petalpushr Studio, 3013 W. Armitage Ave. in Logan Square.
A plant expert will show you and your loved one how to design your own succulent gardens complete with plants, stones, moss and dried florals. Materials and light refreshments will be provided. Tickets cost $215 per couple and can be bought here.
Chicago River
Is there anything more romantic than an elegant dinner lit up by Chicago’s iconic skyline? This two-and-a-half-hour cruise offers spectacular views of Downtown as well as a three-course gourmet meal and onboard entertainment.
Meet up at the Chicago River Esplanade, 455 N. Cityfront Plaza Drive, to set sail Feb. 11 or Feb. 14. Tickets can be bought here.
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